Academics FAQ

What are the areas of undergraduate academic study at UB?

UB is comprised of the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the School of Architecture and Planning, the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the School of Management, the School of Nursing, the School of Pharmacy, and the School of Public Health and Health Professions. UB has the only schools of Pharmacy, Architecture and Law within the SUNY system.

How many majors and degrees are offered?

What is the student-to-faculty ratio? How accessible are UB professors?

It is approximately 14-to-1, but class sizes vary. More than three-fourths of our undergraduate classes have under 50 students, but your class size will largely depend on what year you’re in and the level of class you’re taking. As you progress in your academic career and take courses specific to your major, class size will shrink considerably.

Professors post their office hours and email addresses at the beginning of each semester and encourage interested students to stop by for consultations. Most professors are highly approachable and welcome the opportunity to meet with students. Your professor might also create email listservs as a way of disseminating important class notes and other information.

I took several AP courses in high school. Can I get credit for them?

Depending on the scores you received on the AP examinations, you may be able to apply credit, including the course’s letter grade, to your UB academic requirements. Discuss these options with your advisor at orientation. A report of your AP scores will come to the university during the fall semester; then you’ll have the option of accepting the scores and credit.

Am I required to study a second language at UB?

Most students who enter UB as freshmen within the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) are required to demonstrate intermediate proficiency in a second language. Visit the General Education Requirements page for details. If you have taken three or more years of high school language courses, you will probably be placed in a second-year university-level language course. You can also take the language skills exam when you come to UB in the fall.

How many courses are considered a full load?

Twelve credits is considered full-time; however, to finish a 120-semester-hour degree program in four years or eight semesters, you should take an average of 15 credits each semester.

Will I receive advisement when I register for classes?

As an incoming freshman, you’ll be assigned an advisor who will personally guide you through the registration process. Many students continue to see the same advisor throughout their undergraduate careers.

What is Finish in 4?

Finish in 4 is UB’s commitment to your timely graduation. With the guidance of special advisors, you’ll create a personalized plan for finishing your four-year degree on time. If you fulfill all of your obligations but still can’t graduate in four years, UB will provide you with the opportunity to complete the UB courses you need for your degree free of any tuition or comprehensive fee charges.

I’ve heard UB has “block registration.” What is it?

Block registration groups students with similar academic interests in the same courses. This will help you get to know other UB freshmen who share your pursuits.

Does UB offer pre-registration or online registration? Is class closeout a problem?

Students who discuss and plan their academic careers with their advisor and pre-register have little difficulty getting the classes they need. Registration begins in November for spring semester and in April for fall semester. You will register online via MyUB (your personal web portal). Students pre-register according to the number of hours they have accumulated. New students may not always get their first choice of courses, but, with more than 3,000 courses to choose from, they should have no difficulty completing their schedule.

I’m not sure what subject to major in. How can I decide?

Most freshmen enter UB without knowing what to major in, and that’s OK! Your first two years of university study are all about exploration and mastery of basic skills. When you register for classes at orientation, you’ll be asked to state your intended major, but that doesn’t mean you’re locked in; you are being asked to focus on your current interest. This helps the university better plan course availability; it will also help you and your advisor make appropriate fall semester course selections.

What kind of assistance can I get to help me improve my study skills?

You can drop in for help from trained tutors five days a week at the Thomas J. Edwards Learning Center. Staff can help you target problems or answer specific questions about mathematics (up through calculus). The center also offers courses in math and in research and library skills, which are listed in the Undergraduate Catalog. The staff in the Center for Excellence in Writing will provide help and support with many different kinds of writing and reading projects and issues.